There's No Crying in Hockey

I didn't truly hate the Capitals until last night. Don't get me wrong, I still respect them. They're good, strong, and most are willing to accept a physical challenge. But some seem more willing to engage in childish antics, not actual hockey.

I'm speaking, of course, of Karl Azner. Who bravely tried putting Milan Lucic in a headlock while Lucic was already tangling with Matt Hendricks.

That same courageous Capital then made a cry-baby gesture to Lucic. The refs didn't give Azner a penalty for being the 3rd man in an altercation. They didn't give him a penalty at all. In fact, Lucic got the extra minor and a Bruins' Power Play became a 4-on-4.

NHL refs rarely make such obvious mistakes. 99.9% of the time they do an excellent job. And when they screw up, like they did last night, the Hockey gods intervene and make things right again. The Hockey gods smiled on the Bruins and they scored.

The Hockey gods also smile on 6' 9" defensemen, and their German partners.

Speaking of which, Dennis Seidenberg had the game of his life last night. He was a huge part of 2 goals, helping to keep plays alive in the offensive zone. He held his own against Ovechkin (who has 24 pounds on Seidenberg), he had 4 hits, and blocked 4 shots.

Somehow Brooks Laich got the #1 star. Not Thomas. Not Chara. Not Seidenberg. Laich had a 3 point night, but so did Chara. And Chara also played 26:29 of excellent defensive hockey.

Whatever.

The Bruins were good in the first two periods. But good doesn't cut it in the playoffs. In the 3rd period, however, they were great. Apart from allowing Laich to stretch the zone, the B's were clearly the superior team in the 3rd.

They have good enough goaltending and defense to keep them in every game. Even as the top two lines struggle to produce anything offensively. The Bruins have not played at their peak capability, and yet they're up 2-1 in this series.

What will happen if they reach that peak?

Game 4 Thursday night in Washington.

Photo Credit:
AP Photo